The Denver Gazette examines each new roster addition to the Broncos through free agency with five things to know about safety Talanoa Hufanga.

1. All-Pro potential

Hufanga broke out as one of the NFL’s top defensive players in the 2022 season. The ex-49ers safety was named first-team All-Pro after compiling 97 tackles, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and two sacks. Hufanga starred in college at Southern Cal as a consensus All American and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. He later slid in the 2021 NFL draft with durability concerns — twice breaking his right collarbone — and the Niners selected him No. 180 overall in the fifth round.

2. Health issues

Hufanga has played in only 17 combined games over the past two seasons. In 2023, tore an ACL in Week 11. In 2024, he missed 10 games due to wrist and knee injuries. The Broncos are betting that he can overcome that injury past and return to his 2022 form. His contract suggests confidence. The team signed Hufanga to a three-year deal valued up to $45 million with $20 million guaranteed. In 2025, he is projected to start alongside safety Brandon Jones in the Denver secondary. But there are certainly risks.

3. Rejoining Greenlaw

Hufanga has the benefit of familiarity in the Broncos’ free agent class. Denver also landed ex-49ers inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw. They were teammates over Hufanga’s entire four seasons in San Francisco. The Niners had one of the league’s top defenses over most of that span. They reached three NFC championship games and one Super Bowl together (fall to the Chiefs). That big-game experience should benefit a Broncos defense looking to take the next step.

4. Football family

Hufanga isn’t the only member of his family to star in football. His older brother, T.J., was a linebacker at Oregon State. His cousins — Marlon and Tuli Tuipulotu — were also USC teammates that also reached the NFL. The Chargers drafted Tuli, a linebacker, in the second round. He’s logged 13 sacks over the past two seasons. The Eagles drafted Marlon, a defensive tackle, in the sixth round. He was recently signed by the Chiefs.

5. Jersey number

Hufanga signed his contract last week with his newly minted No. 9 Broncos jersey in hand. He explained why the digit is so meaningful in a Broncos social media video post: “Nine was my favorite number for some reason. Never wore it before. And when I was in high school, I got 15. Then, when I went to USC, I had the opportunity to switch to No. 9, and my dad said no. He’s like: ‘No, you wore (15) in high school, you have to wear it in college.’ … Now, I’m finally (wearing it). He didn’t say no.”